Greece May 2017: VW Polo takes lead in market down 21%

The VW Polo is #1 in Greece just as the new generation is unveiled. Picture autobild.de

* See the Top 35 All-brands and Top 190 All-models by clicking on the title *

Greek new car sales continue on their seesaw 2017 year: after a 57% gain in February and a 49% surge in March, the market dropped 13% in April and accelerates its decline in May at -21% to 10.666 units. The year-to-date tally remains in positive for now at +4% to 40.215 registrations. After being outsold by Peugeot last month, Toyota (-18%) and Volkswagen (-19%) follow the market and reclaim their dominant position in May with Peugeot (-22%) down to #3 which is still above its year-to-date ranking (#4). Fiat (+7%), Citroen (+5%) and most strikingly Hyundai (up 10-fold on May 2016!) manage to go against the grain and post year-onyear increases. Outside the Top 10, Seat (+33%), Skoda (+141%), Kia (+5%) and Alfa Romeo (+24%) do the same among carmakers selling more than 50 units in May. Reversely, Opel (-46%), Mercedes (-48%), Ford (-51%) and Jeep (-57%) suffer.

 The Hyundai i10 is now among Greece’s Top 10 best-sellers.

Model-wise the VW Polo gains 23% to take the lead for the first time since June 2015, distancing the perennial leader the Toyota Yaris (-45%) by just 3 units. Below, the Nissan Micra (-31%), Fiat Panda (-18%), Peugeot 208 (-26%) and Opel Corsa (-54%) all fall heavily. In the process, the Nissan Micra overtakes the Opel Corsa year-to-date to snap the 2nd position overall. Reversely, the Citroen C3 is boosted up 60% by the new models, the Hyundai i10 is up 8-fold on May 2016, the Toyota Aygo is up 62% and the Seat Ibiza up 4-fold. Further down, notice the Fiat Tipo up 185% to #15, the Hyundai i20 up 25-fold, the Skoda Fabia up 37-fold and the VW Tiguan up 15-fold. The Toyota C-HR leads recent launches (<12 month) at #35 above the Audi Q2 at #49 and the Suzuki Ignis at #55.

Previous month: Greece April 2017: Peugeot surprise leader in market down 13%

One year ago: Greece May 2016: Nissan, Mercedes shine in market up 49%

Full May 2017 Top 35 All-brands and Top 190 All-models below.